Sleep apnea decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and irritable bowel syndrome as secondary to medications prescribed for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to obtain a new medical opinion addressing aggravation by service-connected conditions.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as currently diagnosed, related to in-service military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from November 21, 2023.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings of 30 percent for chronic asthma, 40 percent for early osteoarthritic change of the lumbosacral spine at L3-4 (lower back), and 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as there was no evidence showing that the criteria for these ratings were met prior to April 24, 2024.

The Board dismissed the claims for earlier effective dates and SMC, as there was no justiciable case or controversy regarding the sleep apnea rating reduction, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date for service connection for right knee strain, tinnitus, or SMC.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee, right hip, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for liposarcoma and its residuals, as well as entitlement to a total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU), resolving all doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, other than dry eye syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea as they are not related to service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and service connection for athlete's foot (tinea pedis) due to concurrent review elections.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for sleep apnea but denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a 10 percent initial rating for a headache condition, while denying service connection for left ear hearing loss and not assigning a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the disability and the veteran's military service.

The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed as moot because a subsequent rating decision granted the claim, making further review unnecessary.

The Board granted service connection for a left hip disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities, but denied increased ratings for cervical spine, right knee, left knee (meniscal tear status post meniscal repair), and left knee (limitation of motion) disabilities. A 10 percent rating was granted for the left knee scar.,The Board remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea for further development.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left foot plantar fasciitis with bilateral pes planus, and right ankle chronic instability but denied service connection for a left groin strain.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for a respiratory condition, to include chronic pneumonia. The OSA claim was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD but denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another.